Six-man shop raid gang snared in police sting

A GANG of masked raiders are seen being brought to justice in a police sting captured on CCTV and officers’ body-worn cameras.

- By Paul Jeeves Crime Editor

The six men had burst into a busy O2 phone shop, screaming at terrified customers and staff and setting off the fire alarm.

But police who had received intelligence were lying in wait, ready to pounce on the raiders.

The success at the shop in Chippenham, Wiltshire, came as Virgin Media O2 announced its single biggest investment to beef up security across its premises to fight back against organised criminal gangs.

Measures include more security guards, better real-time monitoring systems and new panic alarms.

Team

The company said attempted robberies and thefts at its stores had doubled so far this year, compared with the whole of 2024.

However, the number of successful robberies has declined since the new security measures were brought in, with more than 40 people arrested and charged since July last year.